1. a person who believes that voluntary action rather than government intervention should solve social problems
Usage: political philosophy
2. a person who believes that the will is the fundamental principle of individual or cosmic reality
Usage: philosophy

Examples

• The voluntarist argued that private charity could address poverty more effectively than welfare programs.
• As a voluntarist, she opposed increased government regulation of businesses.
• The philosopher was a strict voluntarist who emphasized the primacy of human will.
• Voluntarists believe that individual choice shapes reality more than external forces.
• The debate between voluntarists and determinists has continued for centuries.
• Many voluntarists support reducing the size of government.